Impact of Power Plant Entrainment of Ichthyoplankton on Juvenile Recruitment of Four Fishes in Western Lake Erie in 1975–77

The effect of power plant entrainment on juvenile recruitment of four species of ichthyoplankton in western Lake Erie was investigated. Of the four species studied—gizzard shad ( Dorosoma cepedianum), white bass ( Morone chrysops), walleye ( Stizostedion vitreum) and freshwater drum ( Aplodinotus grunniens)—it was found that the effect on walleye year class strength is minimal while the effect on gizzard shad recruitment may possibly be significant in terms of overall impact on the community ecology of the western basin. This aspect of the impact of power plant entrainment should be further investigated. It was estimated that total juvenile recruitment of these four species would increase by 742 individuals per acre if all power plant entrainment were eliminated.